Mechanical sandblock for sharpening pencils



y 1948- H. TURCHEN 2,440,813

MECHANICAL SANDBLOCK FOR SHARRENING PENCILS Filed July 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2% I/ZM/XJS INVENTOR. Herman Tu r-chen y B I H. TURCHEN I 2,440,813

MECHANICAL SANbBLOCK FDR SHARPENING PENCILS Filed July 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Her-man Tu FChYc A rro ENE Patented May 4, 1948 MECHANICAL SANDBLOCK FOR SHARPEN- ING PENCILS Herman Turchen, Bronx, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1945 Serial No. 604,559

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a handy mechanical sandblock.

More particularly, the invention proposes a new and improved sandblock which is characterized by a housing adapted to be attached upon the bottom face of a drafting table, desk, or other type of table, and housing a sandblock which is associated with simple mechanism by which it may be extended and retracted. It is proposed to so arrange the parts that when the sandblock is extended it is convenient to sharpen the point of a pencil on it. When it is retracted it will be contained in the housing.

The invention proposes to provide the housing with a graphite dust collecting tray removably mounted through its bottom and associated with a mechanism which will tend to force the graphite dust from the sandblock and allow it to settle within the collecting tray. It is proposed that the collecting'tray be removed and be emptied, as required.

The dominating feature of the new and improved sandblock resides in the fact that it is not only a time-saver, but it is also convenient to use. Furthermore, the graphite dust is confined and will not be free to float around in the atmosphere and give rise to general uncleanliness on persons and drawings, Heretofore, in drafting departments or other establishments it was customary to sharpen the points of pencils on sandblocks and then blow the graphite dust into the atmosphere, or'to tap it against some object to cause the dust to fall off the sandblock. This mode of removal is highly unsanitary, in drafting rooms where many pencils are sharpened in addition to being distinct hinderance to well-kept drawings.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a handy mechanical sandblock, as briefly explained, which is desirable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and t the appended claims in which the variou novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a handy mechanical sandblock constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrated with the sandblock retracted this view being as though taken on the line |-I oi Fig. 2.

8 Claims. (01. 120-89) Fig. 2 is a front-elevational vieW of the handy mechanical sand block illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is aplan View of Fig. 2 but illustrated with a portion of. the table broken away to better disclose certain of the parts of the mechanical sandblock. t

Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional View similar to Fig. 1 but illustrated with the parts in an extended position; r

Fig. 5 is a front elevationalview of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a bottom portion of 2 showingparticularly the construction of one of the hinges. i

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bar which extends across the front of the sandblock.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front platiorm'portion of the sandblock support.

The handy mechanical sandblock, in accordance with this inventionincludes a housing Hi having flanges H: by which it is attached upon the bottom face of a drafting table It, or other table or desk. A sandblock' M is associated with the housing l0 and is adapted to be normally containedwithin the housing and to be extended when desired." When the sandblock I4 is extendedit will be in a position to the front of the front edge of the table, or desk 12 so that it is in'a convenient positionfor sharpening the points of the pencils. When retracted the sandblcck will be contained within the housing it.

The sandblock I4 is associated with a mechanism which will tend to clean the graphite dust off of it and depositand collect said dust in a dust collecting tray l5 which is removably mounted through the ,bottom'of the housing Hi. This tray l5 has an open top through which the graphite dust may enter. It is provided with a bead l6 or other elements upon its sides which engage the edge portions of an opening l! in the bottom of the housing Ill. The top edge portions of the tray I5 are formed with several slits ill to increase the flexibility of these parts and make it easy to remove and replace the tray when desired. To remove the tray, it is merely necessary to manually grip it at the bottom and pull it out from its position. It may be re-inserted by forcing it back into position.

The housing 10 is in the nature of a strip-of metal, or other materialfhaving a bottom wall 20 which continues into side walls 2l.= The side walls2l continue into saidflanges I l by which the housing is attached tothe table, or desk it. The housing 10 isopen at the" front and at the back. i

A san'dblock support" 23 isslidably mounted in block l4.

tion. It may be replaced when desired. The

sandblock I4 is more or less of standard construction. It is composed of a plurality of layers of sand paper 29 mounted in pad form. When the top sheet of sandpaper 29 is used,.and when it is no longer satisfactory, it is removed and the next one is used.

The sandblock support 23 is provided with an opening 32 to the rear of the sandblock l4. This opening 32 is positioned above the graphite dust collecting tray I when the sandblock support 23 has reached its fully retracted position. A conduit-like hood 34 is mounted on said sandblock support 23 and engages over the opening 32 and has its back edge portion hingedly connected upon the support 23, with hinges 35. The front'edge portion 36 of the conduit-like hood 34 normally rests upon the back edge portion of the sand- The housing in is provided with a front cover 38 for normally closing the open front of the housing. This cover 38 is supported with hinges 39, mounted along its bottom edge. The hinges 39 are provided with small coaxial springs 46 which act betweenthe bottom wall26 ofthe housing l 9 and the front cover 38 for resiliently urging the cover in its closed position. The sandblock support 23 is capable of pushing the front cover 38 open when the sandblock support is extended, as for example, illustrated in Fig; 4.

The sandblock support 23 'is associated with means by which it may be conveniently extended, This means includes a cam 42 pivotally mounted with a pintle 43 upon the bottom wall 20 of the housing Ill. The front portion of the cam 42 is extendable against a front downwardly extending flange 44 on the front of the sandblock support 23. A push rod 46 is slidably mounted through one ofthe side walls 2| 'of the housing I!) and engages against the tail end of the cam 42, by which the cam may be pivoted for forcing the sandblock support 23 open. The push rod 46 is provided with a slot 48 which is engaged by a limiting bolt 49 which limits the sliding of the push rod 46; The dash lines in Fig. 3 illustrates thecam 42 in its inoperative position, while the dot and dash lines illustrates it in its operative position in which the sandblock support 23 isextended.

A bar 50 is extended across the front of the sandblock l4. The bar 50 has several prongs 5i which engage into complementary receiving openings 52 formed in the downwardly extending front flange 44. The bar 59 is used to cover the front edge portion of the sandblock l4. This bar acts as a deflecting shield to direct the surplus dust into the channels 54 which are formed in the front platform portion 26 and which extend under sandblock I 4 and connect with an opening 32 in plate 23. The shock caused by theretraction of the sandblock support will serve to direct the residue dust into dust collecting tray l5.

The conduit-like hood 34 is associated with means for slightly lifting it when said sandblock.

support 23 is extended and for slowly dropping it when said sandblock support 23 is retracted. This lifting means includes a pin 56 mounted on and projecting from one side of the conduit-like hood 34. The pin 56 rests upon a track 51. This track is in the nature of a bar. It is pivotally supported intermediate of its ends by a pintle 58 upon the inner face of one of the side walls 2| of the housing I6. The front end 59 of the track 51 is enlarged to give it more mass so as to better counter-balance the weight of the conduit-like hood 34. A pin 69 is mounted upon the side wall 2i of the housing i9 above the tail end of the track 51 and limits upward pivoting of the tail end of the track as illustrated in Fig, 4 during the period of extension for use. The sandblock I support 23 is provided with a pair of vertically extending protective walls 23 to act as a seal, and to prevent the graphite dust from escaping at the sides of the hood 34.

The sandblock support 23 is associated with springs 62 for swiftly retracting it to its retracted position so that graphite dust on the sandblock I4 is thrown by momentum through said open hood 34 an instant before it closes. The springs 62 are connected between the back edge portion of the sandblock support 23 and with lugs 64 extended upwards from the back edge portion of the bottom wall 20 of the housing I0.

The operation of the device is as follows:

In Figs. 1 and 2 the handy mechanical sand-.

block is illustrated in its closed position. The push rod 46 is pressed towards the right for opening the mechanical sandblock so that it is ready to be used. When the push rod 46 is pressed towards the right against the tail end of the cam 42, the cam pivots and forces the sandblock support 23 open by engaging and moving the downwardly extending front flange 44 to its maximum position outside the table. During the forward motion of the sandblock support 23, the pin 56 will ride up along the track 51 causing the con-, duit-like hood 34 to pivot open as illustrated in v Fig, 4; during the return movement, however,-.

23 to strike the rear ends of the horizontal slots This sudden arresting of the relative motion;

25. of the sandblock 23 causes the graphite dust of the pencil which is on the sandblock I4 to continue moving rearward, momentum providing the force. The sandblock support 23 moves rearwards so rapidly that the conduit-like hood 34 is still in an open position, when the graphite dust moves rearwards due to said momentum. The dust will strike the inclined top face of the conduit-like hood 34 and will be deflected downwards into the graphite dust collecting tray l5. An instant after this occurs the hood 34 will move downwards to its closed position as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The hood 34 does not operate as rapidly as-the sandblock support 23 for the simple reason that it is restrained to a limited extent by the counter- J balanced enlarged heavy end 59 of the track 51 and consequently operates at a slower speed than the sandblock moving toward its final retracted stasis i s droppin 2.815181% a it afo ementio d aph d t will settl the, lle tin tray 15-. h ld om n particles of the graphite dust float around in the atmosphere either above the sandblock IA or in the, chamber, it will not discharge into the outsidea atmosphere because the front door 38 wili close as soon as the sandblock support 23 has moved to, its rearward position, thus; forming a secondary seal. The springs 40 act to close the front door-38:. 7 When the top sheet 2,9 of the sandblock Ijdbecomes used up, it is merely'tornoff. and thrown awayi When the entire sandblock M, is exhausted; the flanges 2-1 are opened up and-1 the baseof the sandblock i4, is removed and likewise discarded. A new sandblock may nowbe mounted in position on the front platform portion 26 of the sandblock support 23.

While I have. illustrated and described the preferred, embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I- do not limit myself to the preoisesconstructions herein disclosed and the movement. will accordin y rig-ht is'reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined intheappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United StatesLetters Patent, is: l l l l l 1. A handy'mechanical sandblock, comprising a housingfor 'attachment on the bottom face of a table and-having an open front, a graphite dust collecting tray, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an openingto the rear of a sandiblock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on said tray in the retracted position of said sandblok support, a hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted at its back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a front cover for the openfront of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sandblock support when extended, means for extendingsaid s'andblock support, means for slightly liftin'g said hood when said sandblock support is'eiitended and slowly dropping it when said sand-block support is retracted, and springs for swiftly retracting said sandblock support to its retracted position sothat graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through saidopen hood an instant before it closes.

handy mechanical sandblock, comprising a hqusi ng for attachment on the bottom face of a table and; having an open front and a track mounted on said housing, a graphite dust col looting tray removalbly mounted through said housing, a sandblock support slidably mounted, in saidhousing for moving forwards through said openfront and having an opening to the rear of a .sandbiock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on. said tray in the retracted position of said, sandblock support, a

conduitdike. hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and. hingedly mounted at its back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the 'backedge portion of said sandbloek, a front cover r, the ope f n o aid h ing; 13 5 3 and resiliently mounted forseeking a closed PQSif ger and; capab of being Pushe O ened hr aid 6 sandblock support when extended, means for exa tending, said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said sandblock support is, extended and slowly drop- 1 ping it when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is retracted, and springs for swiftly retract-- ing said sandblock support to its retracted posi-- tion so, that graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through said open conduit-like hood an instant before it closes, said means for liftingsaid conduit-like hood comprising a pin projecting from the hood, and engaging said track.

3. A handy mechanical sandblock, comprising a housing for attachment on the bottom face: of a table and having an open front and a track mounted, on said housing, a graphite dust 001- lecting tray removably mounted through said housing, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an opening to the rear of a sandblock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on said tray in the retracted position of said sandblock support, a conduit-like hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted atits back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a front cover for the open front of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sandblocir support when extended means for extending said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sand- :block support is retracted, and springs for swiftly retracting said sandblock support to its retracted position so that graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through said open conduit-like hood an instant before it closes, said -means for lifting said conduit-like hood comprising a pin projecting from the hood and engaging said track; said track being pivotally mounted ing, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an opening to the rear of a sandblock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on said tray in the retracted position of said sandblock support, a conduit-like hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted at its back edge portion onsaid support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a front cover for the open front of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sandblock support when extended, means for extending said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is retracted; and

springs for swiftly retracting said sandblock support to s re rac ed; po ition m l et raph e dll t n aid e dblocls is hrown by m uium,

the hood and engaging said track, said track being pivotally mounted intermediate of its end, and the front portion of said track being enlarged to increase its mass for counter-balancing the weight of said conduit-like hood.

5. A handy mechanical sandblock, comprising a housing for attachment on the bottom face of a table and having an open front and a track mounted on said housing, a graphite dust collecting tray removably mounted through said housing, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an opening to the rear of a sandblock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on said tray in the retracted position of said sandblock support, a conduit-like hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted at its back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a, front cover for the open front of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sandblock support when extended, means for extending said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said andblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is retracted, and springs for swiftly retracting said sandblock support to its retracted position so that graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through said open conduit-like hood an instant before it closes, said means for lifting said conduit-like hood comprising a pin projecting from the hood and engaging said track, said track being pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends, and the front portion of said track being enlarged to increase its mass for counter-balancing the weight of said conduit-like hood, and a stop pin above the tail end of said track for limiting its upward motion.

6. A handy mechanical sandblock, comprising a housing for attachment on the bottom face of a table and having an open front and a track mounted on said housing, a graphite dust collecting tray removably mounted through said housing, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an opening to the rear of a sandblock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on said tray in the retracted position of said sandblock support, a conduit-like hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted at its back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a front cover for the open front of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sandblock support when extended, means for extending said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is retracted, and springs for swiftly retracting said sandblock support to its retracted position so that graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through said open conduit-like hood an instant before it closes, said means for lifting said conduit-like hood comprisinga pin projecting from the hood, and engaging said track, said springs being connected between the back edge portion of said sandblock support and lugs extended upwards from the bottom wall of said housing. a V 7. A handy mechanical sandblock, comprising a housing for attachment on the bottom face ofhousing, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an opening to the rear of a sandblock mounted on said support and said opening being superimposed on said tray in the retracted position of said sandblock support, a conduit-like hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted at its back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a front cover for the open front of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sandblock support when extended, I

means for extending said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is extended and slowly droppin itwhen said sandblock support is retracted, andisprings for swiftly retracting said sandblock support to its retracted position so that graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through'said'. open conduit-like hood an instant before it closes,

viding the resiliency referred to for closing said cover.

8. A handy mechanical sandblock, comprising a housing for attachment on the bottom face of a table and having an open front and a track mounted on said housing, a graphite dust collecting tray removably mounted through said housing, a sandblock support slidably mounted in said housing for moving forwards through said open front and having an opening to the rear of a sandblock mounted on said support and said opening landing over said tray in the retracted position of said sandblock support, a conduit-like hood on said sandblock support and engaging over said opening and hingedly mounted at its back edge portion on said support and having its front edge normally resting on the back edge portion of said sandblock, a front cover for the open front of said housing and hingedly and resiliently mounted for seeking a closed position and capable of being pushed opened by said sand block support when extended, means for extending said sandblock support, means for slightly lifting said conduit-like hood when said sandblock support is extended and slowly dropping it when said sandblock support is retracted, and springs for swiftlysretracting said sandblock support to its retracted position so that graphite dust on said sandblock is thrown by momentum through said open conduitlike hood an instant before it closes, said means for lifting said con- 7 duit-like hood comprising a pin projecting from the hood, and engaging said track, said means for extending said sandblock support comprising a manually operable push rod, a cam operated by 9 said push rod, and said cam bein engageable with a. downwardly extending front flange on said sandblock support.

HERMAN TURCHEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Koester Dec. 26, 1893 Bosch June 21, 1932 Lada -1 June 30, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Dec. 10, 1926 

